Conversion of RF signals to optical signals for passage through impairment mediums in a wireless communication network

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of propagating wireless signals through an impairment medium using a penetrator device within a wireless communication network is discussed herein. The apparatus and method includes transmitting a first radio frequency (RF) signal from a first point within the wireless communication network and receiving the first RF signal at a first unit of the penetrator device. The method further includes converting, by the first unit of the penetrator device, the RF signal into an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal from the first unit of the penetrator device to a second unit of the penetrator device through the impairment medium. The method also includes converting, by the second unit of the penetrator device, the optical signal into a second RF signal and transmitting, by the second unit of the penetrator device, the second RF signal to a second point within the wireless communication network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a continuation of, and claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/944,556, filedApr. 3, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, mobile telecommunication devices have advanced fromoffering simple voice calling services within wireless communicationnetworks to providing users with many new features. Mobiletelecommunication devices now provide messaging services such as email,text messaging, and instant messaging; data services such as Internetbrowsing; media services such as storing and playing a library offavorite songs; location services; and many others. In addition to thenew features provided by the mobile telecommunication devices, users ofsuch mobile telecommunication devices have greatly increased. Such anincrease in users is only expected to continue and, in fact, it isexpected that there could be a growth rate of twenty times more users inthe next few years alone.

Wireless communication networks generally operate by transmitting anddistributing radio frequency (RF) signals to their customers, e.g.,users of mobile telecommunication devices. Thus, operators of wirelesscommunication networks need to be able to distribute the operating RFsignals such that the RF signals can reach their customers, e.g., users,wherever they may be. For example, RF signals need to be able to reach auser's mobile telecommunication device in the user's cars, on streets,in the user's home, at work, etc. In providing coverage to customers athome and in the workplace, it is generally known that indoor coveragemay be difficult due to signal path loss through the buildingsthemselves. For example, one specific impairment involves certain typesof thermal coated low emissivity (Low-e) glass used for insulatedwindows. Such glass has been found to significantly prevent RF signalsfrom passing through the glass, regardless of the frequency of the RFsignals.

One previous attempt to improve transmission of RF signals intobuildings includes the use of repeaters. In such an arrangement,repeaters have been proposed to capture outdoor RF signals andretransmit an amplified version of the RF signals indoors and viceversa. However, such an arrangement may be costly and time consuming inthat such an arrangement requires a technician with technical skillsthat are above and beyond the skills of a typical consumer toeffectively install a repeater system, which may make the solutionimpractical from a business perspective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures, in which the left-most digit of a reference number identifiesthe figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of thesame reference numbers in different figures indicates similar oridentical items or features.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a wireless communication network, inaccordance with various configurations.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate a penetrator device includingfirst and second units mounted on opposite sides of a thermal panewindow in the wireless communication network of FIG. 1, in accordancewith various configurations.

FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate examples of electroniccomponents that may be included in the first and second units of thepenetrator device, of the penetrator device of FIGS. 2A and 2B, inaccordance with various configurations.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the penetrator device of FIGS. 2A, 2B,3A and 3B used with a distributed antenna system, in accordance withvarious configurations.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the penetrator device of FIGS. 2A, 2B,3A and 3B used with a Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) arrangement,in accordance with various configurations.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of propagating wirelesssignals within the wireless communication network of FIG. 1, inaccordance with various configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a wireless communication network and mobile devicesfor use in the wireless communication network that include techniquesand architecture for propagating wireless signals within a wirelesscommunication network by exploiting the optical quality of glass,especially thermal coated low emissivity (Low-e) glass, to provide apath for the information content of RF signals to pass through theglass. In general, the techniques and architecture provide an apparatusthat includes, on both sides of glass panes of a window, one or moreantennas, a receiver, a modulator, an RF source, and in someconfigurations, an amplifier.

In a configuration, a RF signal may be broadcast from a base station, anaccess point, etc., within a wireless communication network. The RFsignal may be received by a first unit of a penetrator device on a firstside of a window, e.g., a thermal pane window, of a structure. Thereceived RF signal may then be converted to an optical signal that istransmitted through the window. On the other side of the window, asecond unit of the penetrator device receives the optical signal andconverts the optical signal back into a RF signal. The RF signal maythen be broadcast to a user device, e.g., a mobile device, within thestructure.

In configurations, the user device may transmit signals within thestructure that are received by the second unit of the penetrator device.The penetrator device may then convert the RF signal into an opticalsignal and transmit the optical signal through the window. The firstunit of the penetrator device then receives the optical signal andconverts the optical signal back into a RF signal that may then betransmitted from the first unit of the penetrator device to a basestation, an access point, etc. of the wireless communication network

In particular, an outdoor modulated RF signal impinges on an antenna ofthe first unit of the penetrator device. The modulated RF signal is fedinto a RF receiver that converts the data payload of the RF signal intoa modulating current, which directly modulates an optical signal source.In configurations, the optical signal source comprises a laser diode.The laser diode then produces a modulated laser signal that traversesthe glass pane(s) of the window with relatively low loss as the windowgenerally is optically transparent. On the other side of the glasspane(s), an optical receiver receives the modulated laser signal at asecond unit of the penetrator device. The second unit of the penetratordevice reverses the process by modulating a RF signal source thattransmits a RF signal of the same frequency band. The RF signal may thenbe amplified and transmitted indoors within the structure through anantenna of the second unit of the penetrator device.

The same process may be reversed and used for an indoor user using amobile device to produce a signal to reach an outdoor base station oraccess point of the wireless communication network. An indoor modulatedRF signal impinges on the antenna of the second unit of the penetratordevice. The modulated RF signal is fed into a RF receiver of the secondunit that converts the data payload of the RF signal into a modulatingcurrent, which directly modulates an optical signal source of the secondunit. In configurations, the optical signal source comprises a laserdiode. The laser diode then produces a modulated laser signal thattraverses the glass pane(s) of the window with relatively low loss asthe window generally is optically transparent. On the other side of theglass pane(s), an optical receiver of the first unit of the penetratordevice receives the modulated laser signal. The first unit of thepenetrator device reverses the process by modulating a RF signal sourceof the first unit with a modulating current from the optical receiver.The RF signal source transmits a RF signal of the same frequency band.The RF signal may then be amplified and transmitted out of the structurethrough the antenna of the first unit of the penetrator device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication network 100 (also referredto herein as network 100). The network 100 comprises a base station (BS)102 communicatively coupled to a plurality of user devices or userequipment, referred to as user equipment (UE) 104_1, 104_2, . . . ,104_N, where N is an appropriate integer. The BS 102 serves UEs 104located within a geographical area, e.g., within a macro cell 106. FIG.1 illustrates the macro cell 106 to be hexagonal in shape, althoughother shapes of the macro cell 106 may also be possible. In general, thenetwork 100 comprises a plurality of macro cells 106, with each macrocell 106 including one or more BSs 102. In configurations, the macrocells 106 may be divided into small cells (not illustrated), e.g., femtocells, pico cells, micro cells, or the like. The multiple macro cells106 and small cells may be organized into multiple subnetworks that makeup the wireless communication network 100. For example, the wirelesscommunication network 100 may be a national network and thus, thewireless communication network 100 may be divided into four regionalsubnetworks, where each regional subnetwork includes multiple macrocells 106 that may be divided into small cells.

In an embodiment, the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N may comprise anyappropriate devices, e.g., portable electronic devices, forcommunicating over a wireless communication network. Such devicesinclude mobile telephones, cellular telephones, mobile computers,Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), radio frequency devices, handheldcomputers, laptop computers, tablet computers, wearables (e.g. watches,fitness trackers, VR and AR glasses, intelligent personal assistants(e.g. AMAZON™ ECHO™), palmtops, pagers, devices configured as IoTdevices, IoT sensors that include cameras, integrated devices combiningone or more of the preceding devices, and/or the like. As such, UEs104_1, . . . , 104_N may range widely in terms of capabilities andfeatures. For example, one of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N may have anumeric keypad, a capability to display only a few lines of text and beconfigured to interoperate with only Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) networks. However, another of the UEs 104_1, . . ., 104_N (e.g., a smart phone) may have a touch-sensitive screen, astylus, an embedded GPS receiver, and a relatively high-resolutiondisplay, and be configured to interoperate with multiple types ofnetworks. UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N may also include SIM-less devices(i.e., mobile devices that do not contain a functional subscriberidentity module (“SIM”)), roaming mobile devices (i.e., mobile devicesoperating outside of their home access networks), and/or mobile softwareapplications.

In an embodiment, the BS 102 may communicate voice traffic and/or datatraffic with one or more of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N using RFsignals. The BS 102 may communicate with the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_Nusing one or more appropriate wireless communication protocols orstandards. For example, the BS 102 may communicate with the UEs 104_1, .. . , 104_N using one or more standards, including but not limited toGSM, Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Time DivisionMultiple Access (TDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), Long Term Evolution (LTE),Fifth Generation (5G), Generic Access Network (GAN), Unlicensed MobileAccess (UMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) protocols (includingIS-95, IS-2000, and IS-856 protocols), Advanced LTE or LTE+, OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM), General Packet Radio Service(GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Advanced Mobile PhoneSystem (AMPS), Wi-Fi protocols (including IEEE 802.11 protocols), WiMAXprotocols (including IEEE 802.16e-2005 and IEEE 802.16m protocols), HighSpeed Packet Access (HSPA), (including High Speed Downlink Packet Access(HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA)), Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), and/or the like.

The BS 102 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., using a backhaulconnection, illustrated using solid lines in FIG. 1) to a number ofbackhaul equipments, e.g., an operation support subsystem (OSS) server108, a radio network controller (RNC) 110, and/or the like. The RNC 110can also be in the form of a mobility management entity that serves as agateway when the wireless communication network 100 operates accordingto the LTE standard or LTE Advanced standard.

In an embodiment, the base station 102 may comprise processor(s) 120,one or more transmit antennas (transmitters) 122, one or more receiveantennas (receivers) 124, and computer-readable media 126. Theprocessor(s) 120 may be configured to execute instructions, which may bestored in the computer-readable media 126 or in other computer-readablemedia accessible to the processor(s) 120. In some embodiments, theprocessor(s) 120 are a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or any other sort ofprocessing unit. The base station 102 can also be in the form of, forexample, a Node B (where the wireless communication network 100 is 3GUMTS network), in the form of an eNodeB (where the wirelesscommunication network 100 operates according to the LTE standard or LTEAdvanced standard), in the form of a gNodeB (where the wirelesscommunication network 100 operates according to the 5G standard), etc.

The one or more transmit antennas 122 may transmit signals to the UEs104_1, . . . , 104_N, and the one or more receive antennas 124 mayreceive signals from the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N. The antennas 122 and124 include any appropriate antennas known in the art. For example,antennas 122 and 124 may include radio transmitters and radio receiversthat perform the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequencycommunications. In an embodiment, the antennas 122 and 124 may beincluded in a transceiver component of the BS 102.

The computer-readable media 126 may include computer-readable storagemedia (“CRSM”). The CRSM may be any available physical media accessibleby a computing device to implement the instructions stored thereon. CRSMmay include, but is not limited to, random access memory (“RAM”),read-only memory (“ROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other memory technology, compact discread-only memory (“CD-ROM”), digital versatile discs (“DVD”) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe base station 102. The computer-readable media 126 may reside withinthe base station 102, on one or more storage devices accessible on alocal network to the base station 102, on cloud storage accessible via awide area network to the base station 102, or in any other accessiblelocation.

The computer-readable media 126 may store components, such asinstructions, data stores, and so forth that are configured to executeon the processor(s) 120. For instance, the computer-readable media 126may store an access point control component 128 and a network settingscomponent 130, as will be discussed in more detail herein later.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the computer-readable media 126 in the BS102 storing the access point control component 128 and the networksettings component 130, in various other embodiments, the access pointcontrol component 128, the network settings component 130, and one ormore other components (not illustrated, may be stored in anothercomponent of the network 100 (e.g., other than the BS 102). For example,one or more of these components may be stored in a computer-readablemedia included in the OSS server 108, the RNC 110, another appropriateserver associated with the network 100, and/or the like.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, various other components (e.g., anoperating system component, basic input/output systems (BIOS), etc.) mayalso be stored in the computer-readable media 126. Furthermore, althoughnot illustrated in FIG. 1, the base station 102 may comprise severalother components, e.g., a power bus configured to supply power tovarious components of the base station 102, one or more interfaces tocommunicate with various backhaul equipment, and/or the like.

In an embodiment, the UEs 104 may comprise processor(s) 140, one or moretransmit antennas (transmitters) 142, one or more receive antennas(receivers) 144, and computer-readable media 146 in the form of memoryand/or cache. The processor(s) 140 may be configured to executeinstructions, which may be stored in the computer-readable media 146 orin other computer-readable media accessible to the processor(s) 140. Insome embodiments, the processor(s) 140 is a central processing unit(CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both CPU and GPU, or anyother sort of processing unit. The one or more transmit antennas 142 maytransmit signals to the base station 102, and the one or more receiveantennas 144 may receive signals from the base station 102. In anembodiment, the antennas 142 and 144 may be included in a transceivercomponent of the UE 104.

The computer-readable media 146 may also include CRSM. The CRSM may beany available physical media accessible by a computing device toimplement the instructions stored thereon. CRSM may include, but is notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, a SIM card, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the UE 104.

The computer-readable media 146 may store several components, such asinstructions, data stores, and so forth that are configured to executeon the processor(s) 140. For instance, the computer-readable media 146may store a configuration component 148. In configurations, thecomputer-readable media 146 may also store one or more applications 150configured to receive and/or provide voice, data and messages (e.g.,short message service (SMS) messages, multi-media message service (MMS)messages, instant messaging (IM) messages, enhanced message service(EMS) messages, etc.) to and/or from another device or component (e.g.,the base station 102, other UEs, etc.). The applications 150 may alsoinclude third-party applications that provide additional functionalityto the UE 104. In configurations, the UE 104 may also comprise a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver 152 and/or another locationdetermination component.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the UEs 104 may also comprisevarious other components, e.g., a battery, a charging unit, one or morenetwork interfaces, an audio interface, a display, a keypad or keyboard,and other input and/or output interfaces.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates only one UE (UE 104_1) in detail, each ofthe UEs 104_2, . . . , 104_N may have a structure that is at least inpart similar to that of the UE 104_1. For example, similar to the UE104_1, each of the UEs 104_2, . . . , 104_N may comprise processor(s),one or more transmit antennas, one or more receive antennas, andcomputer-readable media including a configuration component.

In an embodiment, the network settings component 130 stored in thecomputer-readable media 126 maintains a plurality of network settingsassociated with the network 100. Individual network settings maintainedby the network settings component 130 may be pertinent to a single UE ofthe UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N, a subset of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N,or each of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N. For example, a network settingof the plurality of network settings may specify a maximum bit rate atwhich a UE (or each of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N) may transmit datato the BS 102. Another network setting of the plurality of networksettings may specify a transmit time interval (TTI) used by each of theUEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N to transmit data to the BS 102. Yet anothernetwork setting of the plurality of network settings may specify amaximum power that each of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N may use totransmit data to the BS 102. The plurality of network settingsmaintained by the network settings component 130 may also include anyother appropriate type of network settings.

In an embodiment, one or more of the plurality of network settingsmaintained by the network settings component 130 may be communicated tothe UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N (e.g., by the transmit antennas 122 to thereceive antennas 144 of the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N). Based onreceiving the network settings, the UEs 104_1, . . . , 104_N (e.g., thecorresponding configuration components 148) may configure themselves andcommunicate with the BS 102 accordingly.

As previously noted, in providing coverage to UEs 104 at home, in theworkplace and other structures, it is generally known that indoorcoverage may be difficult due to signal path loss through the buildingsthemselves. For example, one specific impairment involves certain typesof thermal coated “low-E” glass use for insulated windows. Such glasshas been found to significantly prevent RF signals from passing through,regardless of the frequency of the RF signals.

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a penetrator device 200 mounted onopposite sides of a thermal pane window 202 in the wirelesscommunication network 100. In configurations, the thermal pane window202 includes a gas 204, such as, for example, argon gas, between twopanes of glass, 206, 208. Additionally, in a configuration, at least oneof panes 206, 208 may include a thermal coating on an interior surfaceof the pane.

In FIG. 2A, a first unit 210 and a second unit 212 of the penetratordevice 200 are affixed to opposite sides, e.g., planes of glass 206,208, of the thermal pane window 202 using an adhesive 214. In aconfiguration, the first unit 210 is located on an outdoor side of thethermal pane window 202 and the second unit is located on an indoor sideof the thermal pane window 202, e.g., within a structure that includesthe thermal pane window 202. A gasket 216 may be provided to seal theinterior of the units 210, 212 to protect the electronics containedtherein from precipitation, dust, moisture, etc. In a configuration,only the first unit 210 includes a gasket 216 as only the first unit 210is located outdoors and thus, may need protection from the elements. Inconfigurations, the gasket 216 may comprise a rubber O-ring or somethingsimilar.

FIG. 2B illustrates the first and second units 210, 212 of thepenetrator device 200 coupled on opposite sides of the thermal panewindow 202 utilizing magnets 218. The magnets 218 may be utilized toaffix the first and second units 210, 212 to metallic window panes (notillustrated) included with the window 202 or surrounding the window 202.

FIG. 3A schematically illustrates examples of electronic components thatmay be included in the first unit 210 and the second unit 212 of thepenetrator device 200. The first unit 210 may include an antenna 300that is coupled to a RF receiver 302. The antenna 300 a may receive amodulated RF signal from a base station 102 (or an access point) of thewireless communication network 100. An optical signal source 304 iscoupled to the RF receiver 302. In a configuration, the optical signalsource 304 comprises a laser diode. The RF receiver 302 receives a RFsignal from the antenna 300 and provides a modulating current that issupplied to the laser diode 304. The RF receiver 302 converts the datapayload of the RF signal into the modulating current, which directlymodulates the laser diode 304.

The laser diode 304 provides a modulated laser signal that istransmitted through the glass panes 206 and gas 204 of the thermal panewindow 202. The second unit 212 includes an optical receiver 306 toreceive modulated laser signals, which provides a modulating current toa RF signal source 308 to convert the modulated laser signal back into amodulated RF signal. The RF signal source 308 may be coupled to anamplifier 310 in configurations, if desired, to amplify the RF signal.In configurations, the RF amplifier 310 may be a part of a RFtransmitter (not illustrated) that transmits the RF signal via anantenna 312 a. The antenna 312 a may provide the RF signal to a UE 104.

As can be seen in FIG. 3A, a RF signal may be provided from the UE 104to an antenna 312 b of the second unit 212 to provide the RF signal tothe outdoor base station 102 (or an access point) of the wirelesscommunication network 100. An indoor modulated RF signal impinges on theantenna 312 b of the second unit of the penetrator device 200. Themodulated RF signal is fed into a RF receiver 314 of the second unit 212that converts the data payload of the RF signal into a modulatingcurrent, which directly modulates an optical signal source 316 of thesecond unit 212. In a configuration, the optical signal source 316comprises a laser diode.

The laser diode 316 produces a modulated laser signal that traverses theglass panes 206, 208 and gas 204 of the window 202. On the other side ofthe window 202, an optical receiver 318 of the first unit 210 receivesthe modulated laser signal and converts the data payload of the RFsignal into a modulating current. The optical receiver 318 modulates aRF signal source 320 of the first unit 210 with the modulating current.The RF signal source transmits a RF signal of the same frequency band.The RF signal may be amplified by an amplifier 322 if desired andtransmitted out of the penetrator device 200 via an antenna 300 b of thefirst unit 210. In configurations, the RF amplifier 322 may be a part ofa RF transmitter (not illustrated) that transmits the RF signal via theantenna 300 b. The antenna 300 b may provide the RF signal to the basestation 102 (or an access point) of the wireless communication network100.

An advantage of using a modulating current to directly modulate thelaser diodes 304, 316 and the RF signal sources 308, 320 is that use ofthe modulating current is generally technology standard neutral. Thus,no matter if the wireless technology protocol of the wirelesscommunication network is legacy GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G, etc., the penetratordevice 200 may still support the wireless technology protocol.

FIG. 3A schematically illustrates a simplex design arrangement of thepenetrator device 200. Thus, in FIG. 3A, the first unit 210 includes afirst antenna 300 a for receiving RF signals from base stations 102 (oraccess points) at a first frequency and a second antenna 300 b fortransmitting RF signals to base stations 102 (or access points) at asecond frequency. The second unit 212 includes a first antenna 312 a fortransmitting RF signals to UEs 104 at the first frequency and a secondantenna 312 b for receiving RF signals from UEs 104 at the secondfrequency. FIG. 3B schematically illustrates a duplex design arrangementwhere the first unit 210 includes a RF duplexer 324, and the second unit212 includes a RF duplexer 326. Thus, the first unit includes a singleantenna 300 and the second unit 212 includes a single antenna 312.Flexibility in the design architecture of the penetrator device 200enables application to time division duplex (TDD) or frequency divisionduplex (FDD) systems.

Additionally, wireless communication networks often consist of overlaysthat operate on different frequency bands. In configurations, thepenetrator device 200 can incorporate multiple sets of the describedelectronic components each dedicated to a specific band, or combinationof components within the same enclosure to accommodate all bands ofinterest. Therefore, a multi-band combo package can be assembled, makingthe penetrator device 200 frequency independent.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, installation of the penetratordevices 200 may involve peal-and-stick adhesives 214 that allow ageneral consumer to install a penetrator device 200 on a window withoutany tools or modifications to windows 202 or walls. As previously noted,an alternative is to use magnets 218 in the indoor and outdoor units210, 212 to have indoor and outdoor units 210, 212 cling on oppositesides of the window, e.g., to frames or panes around or within thewindows 202. Visual alignment of the first unit 210 and the second unit212 is generally sufficient for transmission and reception of theoptical signals as the path across the glass 206, 208 and gas 204 isgenerally short, making the penetrator device 200 tolerant to alignmenterrors.

As previously noted, the outdoor unit, e.g., first unit 210, may beoutfitted with a gasket 216, e.g., an O-ring, around the periphery tokeep out precipitation and dust that can impact the performance of theelectronic components therein. If desired, the indoor unit, e.g., secondunit 212, may be outfitted with a gasket 216, e.g., an O-ring. aroundthe periphery to keep out moisture and dust that can impact theperformance of the electronic components therein.

Since one unit, e.g., the first unit 210, of the penetrator device 200may operate at the outdoor side of the thermal pane window 202, it maybe impractical to require an alternating current (AC) power sourcewithin the first unit 210. Thus, in a configuration, the indoor unit,e.g., the second unit 212, of the penetrator device 200 may include aninductive charging mechanism 328 to provide energy to an inductivecharging mechanism 330 included within the first unit 210 so thatplugging in a power supply 332 of the first unit 210 into an AC poweroutlet will also provide power to a power supply 334, e.g., a battery,of the first unit 210 to thereby keep both units 210, 212 operating. Ina configuration, the power supply 332 of the second unit 212 maycomprise a battery that may be charged by connection to an AC poweroutlet. In a configuration, the first unit 210 may provide the power tothe second unit 212 using the inductive charging mechanisms 330, 328. Insuch a configuration, the power supply 330 may be in the form of abattery or may be plugged into an AC power outlet. Thus, in such aconfiguration, the power supply 332 may be in the form of a battery.

In configurations, structures such as large houses or buildings mayrequire multiple penetrator devices 200 on multiple windows 202 sincesignals produced internally by the penetrator device 200 may not movewithin the large structures easily or accurately. In a configuration, ascan be seen in FIG. 4, RF signals from the second unit 212 may beprovided to a distributed antenna system 400 (DAS) of a structure. TheDAS 400 includes a DAS tray 402 that receives the RF signals from thesecond unit 212 of the penetrator device 200 and then provides the RFsignals to the DAS 400, which then broadcasts the RF signals internallyin the structure via remote nodes 404 for receipt by UEs 104. The DAScan also receive RF signals from the UEs 104 and then provide the RFsignals to the penetrator device 200 for transmission as previouslydescribed to the base station 102 (or an access point) of the wirelesscommunication network 100. Such an arrangement can allow for use of onlyone (or only a few) penetrator device 200 for receiving and transmittingRF signals as previously described within a structure such as a largebuilding.

While methods, techniques, devices and architecture have been describedherein with respect to a thermal pane window 202, the methods,techniques, devices and architecture described herein may also beapplied for transmission of other vector fields (signal transmissionsthat utilize amplitude and phase modulation to encode information ontransmitted signals) to circumvent other impairment materials/mediums.For example, the methods, techniques, devices and architecture may beused transmitting RF signals through water, plastic, other forms ofglass, etc.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a multi-antenna designarrangement, where each of the antennas 300 a, 300 b, 312 a, 312 b areoptimally designed to discriminate and favor a particular polarizationof RF signals. Transmitting each polarized component of RF signalsthrough the penetrator device 200 replicates the MIMO schemes commonlyimplemented at the antennas of the base stations 102 to reach the UEs104 and allows radio path diversity. This enables an indoor user to havesimilar Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) throughput on their UEs104 as an outdoor user. Accordingly, the first unit 210 includes two ormore polarized antennas 300 a, 300 b. The polarized antennas 300 a, 300b are communicatively coupled to corresponding duplexers 324 a, 324 b,RF receivers 302 a, 302 b, laser diodes 304 a, 304 b, optical receivers318 a, 318 b, RF sources 320 a, 320 b and RF amplifiers, 322 a, 322 b,respectively. Likewise, the second unit 212 includes two or morepolarized antennas 312 a, 312 b. The polarized antennas 312 a, 312 b arecommunicatively coupled to corresponding duplexers 326 a, 326 b, RFreceivers 314 a, 314 b, laser diodes 316 a, 316 b, optical receivers 306a, 306 b, RF sources 308 a, 308 b and RF amplifiers, 310 a, 310 b,respectively. The various components along the paths functionsubstantially as previously with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, where theRF signals between the base station 102 and the antennas 300 a, 300 b,as well as the RF signals between the UE 104 and the antennas 312 a, 312b, are polarized.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an illustrative process that may beimplemented within the wireless communication network 100. This process(as well as other processes described throughout) are illustrated as alogical flow graph, each operation of which represents a sequence ofoperations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or acombination thereof. In the context of software, the operationsrepresent computer-executable instructions stored on one or moretangible computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one ormore processors, perform the recited operations. Generally,computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, and the like that perform particularfunctions or implement particular abstract data types. The order inwhich the operations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described operations can be combinedin any order and/or in parallel to implement the process. Furthermore,while the architectures and techniques described herein have beendescribed with respect to wireless networks, the architectures andtechniques are equally applicable to processors and processing cores inother environments and computing devices.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating method 500 of propagating wirelesssignals within a wireless communication network, e.g., wirelesscommunication network 100. As illustrated, at block 602, a first radiofrequency (RF) signal is transmitted from a first point, e.g., a basestation 102, an access point, a UE 104, etc., within the wirelesscommunication network. At block 604, the first RF signal is received ata first unit of a penetrator device, e.g., penetrator device 200, withinthe wireless communication network. At block 606, the RF signal isconverted, by the first unit of the penetrator device, into an opticalsignal. At block 608, the optical signal is transmitted from the firstunit of the penetrator device to a second unit of the penetrator device,wherein the transmitting the optical signal comprises transmitting theoptical signal through an impairment medium. At block 610, the opticalsignal is converted, by the second unit of the penetrator device, into asecond RF signal. At block 612, the second RF signal is transmitted, bythe second unit of the penetrator device, to a second point, e.g., abase station 102, an access point, a UE 104, within the wirelesscommunication network.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claims.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus configured to propagate wireless signalsthrough an impairment medium impairing transmission of radio frequency(RF) signals, the apparatus comprising: a first unit configured to becoupled to a surface of the impairment medium, comprising: an antennaconfigured to wirelessly receive first RF signals containing a datapayload; an RF receiver operatively coupled to the antenna, wherein theRF receiver is configured to convert the data payload from the RFsignals into a first modulating current; an optical source operativelycoupled to the RF receiver, wherein the optical source is configured tobe modulated with the first modulating current and to transmit firstoptical signals through the surface of the impairment medium; and afirst optical receiver optically coupled to receive second opticalsignals through the surface of the impairment medium; and a second unitconfigured to be coupled to an opposite surface of the impairmentmedium, comprising: a second optical receiver operatively coupled toreceive the first optical signals from the optical source through theopposite surface of the impairment medium, wherein the first opticalreceiver is configured to convert the first optical signals into asecond modulating current; and an RF signal source operatively coupledto the first optical receiver, wherein the RF signal source isconfigured to modulate second RF signals with the second modulatingcurrent and to transmit the second RF signals.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the first optical receiver is configured to convert thesecond optical signals into a third modulating current, and wherein thefirst unit further comprises: an RF signal source operatively coupled tothe first optical receiver, wherein the RF signal source is configuredto modulate third RF signals with the third modulating current and totransmit the third RF signals wirelessly via the antenna.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first unit further comprises aduplexer operatively coupled between the RF receiver, the RF signalsource, and the antenna.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein theantenna comprises multiple polarized antennas configured to replicateMultiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) characteristics for the first RFsignals and the second RF signals.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe impairment medium is a thermal window.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the antenna comprises a distributed antenna system.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first unit further comprises: a secondRF receiver operatively coupled to the antenna for receiving second RFsignals containing a second data payload, wherein the second RF receiveris configured to convert the second data payload into a third modulatingcurrent; and a second optical source operatively coupled to the secondRF receiver, wherein the second optical source is configured to bemodulated with the third modulating current and to transmit thirdoptical signals through the surface of the impairment medium.
 8. Anapparatus, comprising: an enclosure configured to be attached to a firstsurface of an impairment medium substantially impervious to radiofrequency (RF) signals; an antenna system configured to wirelesslyreceive downstream RF signals and to wirelessly transmit upstream RFsignals; an RF receiver operatively coupled to the antenna system,wherein the RF receiver is configured to convert a downstream datapayload from the downstream RF signals into a downstream modulatingcurrent; an optical source operatively coupled to the RF receiver,wherein the optical source is configured to modulate downstream opticalsignals with the downstream modulating current and to transmit thedownstream optical signals through the first surface of the impairmentmedium; an optical receiver configured to receive upstream opticalsignals through the first surface of the impairment medium and convertthe upstream optical signals into an upstream modulating current; an RFsignal source operatively coupled to the optical receiver and to theantenna system, wherein the RF signal source is configured to modulatethe upstream RF signals with the upstream modulating current and totransmit the upstream RF signals to the antenna system; and a second RFreceiver operatively coupled to the antenna system for receiving seconddownstream RF signals containing a second downstream data payload. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the impairment medium is a thermalwindow comprising argon gas between two panes of glass.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the antenna system comprises a distributedantenna system and a distributed antenna system tray.
 11. The apparatusof claim 8: wherein the second RF receiver is configured to convert thesecond downstream data payload into a second downstream modulatingcurrent, further comprising: a second optical source operatively coupledto the second RF receiver, wherein the second optical source isconfigured to be modulated with the second downstream modulating currentand to transmit second downstream optical signals through the firstsurface of the impairment medium.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising a duplexer operatively coupled between the RF receiver, theRF signal source, and the antenna system.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the antenna system comprises multiple polarized antennasconfigured to replicate Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO)characteristics for the downstream RF signals and for the upstream RFsignals.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the optical sourcecomprises a laser diode.
 15. A method of propagating wireless signalswithin a wireless communication network through an impairment mediumimpairing transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals, the methodcomprising: receiving downstream RF signals wirelessly via an antennasystem; converting, by an RF receiver, a downstream data payload fromthe downstream RF signals into a downstream modulating current;modulating, by an optical source, downstream optical signals with thedownstream modulating current; receiving second downstream RF signalswirelessly via the antenna system; converting, by a second RF receiver,a second downstream data payload from the second downstream RF signalsinto a second downstream modulating current; transmitting the downstreamoptical signals through a first side of the impairment medium;receiving, through the first side of the impairment medium, upstreamoptical signals; converting, by an optical receiver, the upstreamoptical signals into an upstream modulating current; modulating, by anRF signal source, upstream RF signals with the upstream modulatingcurrent; and transmitting the upstream RF signals wirelessly via theantenna system.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:modulating, by a second optical source, second downstream opticalsignals with the second downstream modulating current; and transmittingthe second downstream optical signals through the first side of theimpairment medium.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:receiving, through the first side of the impairment medium, secondupstream optical signals; converting, by a second optical receiver, thesecond upstream optical signals into a second upstream modulatingcurrent; modulating, by a second RF signal source, second upstream RFsignals with the second upstream modulating current; and transmittingthe second upstream RF signals wirelessly via the antenna system. 18.The method of claim 15, further comprising duplexing the downstream RFsignals and the upstream RF signals with an RF duplexer between the RFreceiver, the RF signal source, and the antenna system.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein the antenna system comprises multiple polarizedantennas configured to replicate Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO)characteristics for the downstream RF signals and for the upstream RFsignals.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising couplingelectrical power inductively through the first side of the impairmentmedium.